U.S. immigration union says Gang of Eight bill is 'fatally flawed'

Immigrants wait for their citizenship interviews at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Jan. 29, 2013. (John Moore/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON - The head of a U.S. labor union representing 12,000 employees charged with enforcing the nation’s immigration laws says the proposed “Gang of Eight” immigration reform bill is fatally flawed and could compromise national security.

Senate Bill 744 would be ineffective even with revisions designed to strengthen border security, according to Kenneth Palinkas, president of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Council. The union represents employees of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services who process immigrant visa applications.

“If passed, (SB 744) would lead to the rubber stamping of millions of applications for both amnesty and future admissions, putting the public safety and the taxpayer at risk,” Palinkas wrote in June 5 letter to the eight U.S. senators sponsoring the bill.

Palinkas said the legislation would create a massive increase in case work and make it more difficult for officers to investigate fraud and criminal activity.

“We are currently lacking the manpower, training and office space to accomplish our mission and achieve what our jobs demand,” Palinkas wrote in the letter obtained by AL.com. “Why would the Senate pass a bill that makes it even more difficult for USCIS officers to identify, remove or keep out public safety threats?”

Here is a copy of the letter from Palinkas, or click here to view it on your mobile device: